Photoelectric selector of electric circuits



Jan. 6, 1953 J. uRTr-:AGA 2,624,737

PECTCEEECTRIC SELECTOR CR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed Dec. 31, 1949 s sheets-snee: 2

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ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 6, 1953 "PHOTOELECTRICSELECTOR OFELECTRIC Y CIRCUITS Jaime Urtea'ga, Santiago, Chile ApplicationDecemberl, 1949, Serial '-No. 136,259

Myinvention relatesitoa multiple photo-electric elementselector, and the object'ofthe in-vention isto provide a practical selector,-of many circuits, each of which is'composed of two, three, four, or more photo-electric elements, vso that wheneverthe complete chain of these-elementsiis activated'by'the appropriate combination of ray sourcesythe corresponding circuit-is closed, and will in turn complete the circuit of theparticular motor, relay or other apparatus to`be put in function.

Another objectfof theinvention is to .provide aselect'or for message transmission, Ysuch 'as Atelephony or"telegraphyan'd automatic faredistance control of such equipment as planes, ships, tanks, etc., fand speaking .in general Ta .selector vwhich provides `a simple 'selection fof one .or :'several circuits fromV a group of circuits.

The principal advantages Tof vthis `selector 'over existing :selectors are fthe following:

First,total absence of any moving'parts;isec ond, extreme light weight; third, `compactness of fdesign; i'fourth, ease, simplicity .andilow cost of maintenance; fth, ease of replacementzof any defective parts; sixth, trouble-free operation even in Very polluted atmosphere; seventh, possibility of operation with either direct or alternating current; eighth, possibility of adopting shape of selector to the object in which it will beplaced, since it may be constructed in either circular/or ilat rectangular shape; ninth, possibility of closing circuits'of varying resistance, by varying intensity of activating rays; tenth, silent functioning; 4eleventh,'cheapness of design; twelfth, necessity for less maintenance ofpersonnel.

In the drawings in which .likecharacters lof reference designate corresponding yparts-throughout the Views:

Figure 1 represents a schematic -front -view -.of the distribution of the photo-electric elements-in a 10 light-source flat panel type selector, in which each chain counts with two elements.

Figure 2 represents the cross-'sectional view of the same selector of Figurel along lines I-il, showing at the same time the external relay connections.

Figure `3 represents the schematic liront -view of the distribution ofthe photo-electric-elements in a l light-source flat panel 'typefselecton in which each chain counts awith threeelements.

Figure 4 represents the front viewofa 10 lightsource flat panel type selector in which each chain counts with two elements, with these lightsources removed in order to show the panel perforationsholdingthe photo-electric elements.

Figure 5 represents'the verticalcross-sectional view of the same selector of Figure 4 along lines 3 3. In this View the light-sourcesconsistvof rectangular box-like shaped light-reflecting cases or shields. At the Sametime the external relay wiring is shown.

Figure-6 represents thesame Vertical cross-sectional view along lines13-3 of Figure 4, but here light, 'neon, or fluorescent-tubes are shown as light sources.

Figure 7 represents the horizontal cross-sectional viewalong lines2-2 of vFigure 4.

Figure 8 represents the rearfviews of the same selector of-Figure 4, looking in direction of arrow A, shown in `Figure 5.

Figure -9 represents the'enlarged view of the encircled area of Figure'5,`with the photo-electric elementiinits socket.

`Figure l0 represents the same enlarged view,

with the 'photo-electric' element withdrawn from its socket Figure 11 represents the enlarged rear-view of .the 'photo-electric "elementfand 'its holding socket.

Figure 1'2 represents the venlarged longitudinal cross-sectional 'View of lthe phototube.

'Figure v13 'represents the 'enlarged cross-sectionalfview along-lines 5-'5 ofthe same phototube shown in Figure 12,

In these :figures the letter AE designates the photo-electric elements; the'letter F, the light sources or reflector sources; "the letterL," the wiring conductors; the letter Sthe selector panel; thelett-'erI-l, theavailable height of light sources; the'lettei'K/the light source holder; the letterR, the auxiliary'relay, which is actuated bythe chain elements; 'theletterB, is the battery which operatesfthe relay R when the chain is closed; the

r.letter-a is the anode electrode of the photo-tube; the letter c is the cathode electrode of the phototube; the letter m is one of the two contacts of the photo-electric element-socket; the letter n is one of the .two contacts of the counter-socket hold- `ing the photo-electric element; the letter z' is the reflecting side of the light reflector cases or shields; theletterw is the window in the reflector cases or shields, through which the reflected light rayszfall onthe photo-electric element; the letter g is the glass or plastic cover of the phototubes; the letter e is the electrode of the photo-Voltaic or photocon'ductiveelement; the letter N is the available width-of chain circuits; the letter Y is the padding-betwen light, neonor fluorescent-tubes the letter 1T is the strip which holds the aforementioned padding in place; the letters ch are the 'chains'of which each selector is composed; the numbers 1, 2, 3 etc. or FI, F2, F3 etc. are the `numb'eringfoftheflight-sources; the numbers (No.

l), (No. 2),;(No. 3) etc. are the numbering of the chains.

The selector to which this application refers, consists of two main elements, (A) the various circuits or chains ch to be closed as desired, which in turn are composed of two or more photo-electric elements E, several of which connected in series make up a chain ch, which when activated by a light-source F, become either conductive or generate their own potential, hence closing the selected circuit or element chain ch.

(A) The photo-electric elements can consist of:

(1) Photo-voltaic cells, which are light-sensitive, and which generate a voltage or potential, when exposed to visible or other radiation.

(2) Photoconductive cells, which are also lightsensitive, and of which the resistance varies with the illumination intensity, projected on the cell.

(3) Photo-electric tube, also called phototube, in which an electron emission is produced directly, by radiation falling on the cathode electrode. This latter radiation may be light, and ultraviolet or infrared radiations.

(B) The radiation sources may consist of:

(a) Rectangular reflector cases or shields which with direct or alternating current, are illuminated inside by a light-source such as a bulb on one or both ends of the case or shield.

(b) Light-tubes, which are vacuum or gasiilled tubes provided with a lament which lights when either direct or alternating current of the correct voltage is applied.

(c) Neon-tubes, which are gas-iilled tubes, provided with electrodes on each end which light the tube, through flashing from one electrode to the other when the correct voltage alternating current is applied.

(d) Fluorescent-tubes, which in principle are rather similar to neon-tubes, but which do not diiuse direct lighting as do the neon-tubes, since the flashing illuminates the fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube. These tubes also operate on the correct voltage of an alternating current.

(e) Infrared light sources.

(f) Ultraviolet light sources.

(y) X-ray light sources.

The last three light-sources, are rather of technical than practical interest. The different combinations of circuit selections are obtained by the varying relative locations of the photo-electric elements, making up each chain. With two ele- 'Ihe selector will be constructed from a panel of either flat or circular form, say, of some 3A" thickness, which can be either of wood, or some other insulating material, such as plastic, ebonite, or similar material.

In this panel, holes will be drilled or cast along longitudinal and transverse rows, the longitudinal rows having greater numbers of holes than the transverse rows. Each hole will be furnished with a counter-socket complete with the terminals n, which latter will be permanently wired in series with the other terminals n of the remaining counter-sockets of the particular chain ch. Into these counter-sockets the photo-electric elements will be plugged, their contacts m making direct contact with the terminals n of the counter-sockets, so that it will be extremely easy to interchange any defective photo-electric element. Since the reector cases, the light, neonor u'orescent tubes will be located as close as possible to these holes in the panel, these very holes will furnish a shield against any stray radiation hitting adjacent upper or lower cells. The light-sources will be placed at right angles to the axis of the chains of elements, so as to enable the right selection to be made by lighting the right combination of light-sources, as will be explained in detail further on.

If tubes are employed some padding Y between tubes and panel will have to be furnished to avoid any possibility of stray rays hitting adjacent upper or lower cells, which are not supposed to be activated. A chain of elements which composes a circuit may be composed of a minimum of two cells, which would provide the simplest case of selection.

If n represents the total number of lightsources which can be installed in the height of the panel then the follow-ing formula represents the total number N of circuit or chain combinations possible:

N (2) is equal to 0%@ or as illustrated in Figure l where there is pro- N (2) is equal to 2 1s equal to (lL-2mg' equal to 45.

which consists of the following combinations:

(3-4) (4-5) (5-6) (6-7) (7-8) (8-9) (9-10) (3-5) (LL-6) (5-7) (6-8) (7-9) (8-10) (3-6) (4-7) (5-8) (ii-9) (7*10) (l-10) giving a total of 45 combinations.

The same example of 10 light-source height has also been worked out for a selector with three elements in each chain in Figure 3. This gives the following combinati-ons for the No. 1 group:

(1-2-4) (P3-5) (l-4-6) (l-5-7) (1-6'-8) (l-7-9) (l-2-5) 1-3-6) (P4-7) (1-5-8) (1*6-9) (1-7-10) This sequence of the group 1" is covered by the formula total of equal to 36 combinations;

emmer '.Next comes the followingsequences fof vcomblnations furthe No. .2fgroup:

sources fand: containing '3 :elements I per chain is: 36"'-plusl281plus21'plus 15 pluslOplus 6 plus 3 plus This sequence of 'the group "2 is 'covered by .the formula Next comes the followingsequence'of Vcombinations for the No. 3 group:

formula r 42 or equal to 28 combinations.

2 o 2 orequal to 2l combinations.

Next comes the following.sequen-ceof .combinations for the No. 4Vgroup:

(fl-545) (4-6-7) (L1-7%?) (4-8-9) (4-9-.10) (4-5-7) (4--6-8) (Ll-'-Q) (4-8-10) (4-5-8) (4-6-9) (4-7*l0) This sequence of the group 4 is 'covered by .the

binations.

Next comes the following sequence of combinations for the No. 5 group:

(5-6-7) 5-7-s) (5-8-9) (541-10) (5-6-8) 5-7-9) (5-s-1o) (5 6-9) (5-7-10) This sequence of the group 5 is covered -by the -wm-@m-S) gg vor l0 cornformula 2 o1' equal to binations.

Next comesthe following sequencefor the `combination for the No. 6 group:

1 'givin'ga'total of 120 combinations for triple selection ascompared'to 45 combinations for single selection composed of two elements per chain.

Thepartial formulae of groups 1 to `8 maybe summarized in thefollowing formula:

'N(3)=(n-2) 2+ (1L-2) 2- (7L-2) Nm=(10-2) 2+(10-2) 2- (10-2) :120 combinations Therefore as may be readily appreciated quadruple selection will boost up the number ofcornbinationsstill more, and would take up too much space to be giving the detailed enumeration of combinations of the various sequences, and therefore, itmust suifice to state that the total number of combinations possible is 210 for a selector with 10 light-sources.

From Figures 1 and 3 it may be readily appreciated that on none of the vertical lines 'or chains there'will be encountered twice the same combination'so that if for example light-sources land '2 (Fig. 1) for'l, Zand 8 (Fig-3) 'are lit, onlyphoto electric'elements in the row 1 and 2 or 1, 2 vand 3 will'be activated and only the chains No. 1 completed (Figs. 1 and 3). The same holds true 'for any other-combination be it simple, triple or multiple Yselection, and the principle of selection is based hereon.

It is immaterial whether in the flat or circular type panel selectors the chains and light-sources are mounted horizontally or vertically, as long as they are mounted at right angles one to the other, sinceonly the shape of the selector will be affected and not the functioning.

'Ihe Figure l represents a schematic outside front view of a 2 element per chain at panel type 'selector,-equipped with 10 light-sources for obtaining the different circuit selections. Here as in Figures 4.and 8 we have a graphical demonstration how a'tota'l of 45 combinations are obtaina'ble vwith a selector of rthis specication.

Figure 2 shows the same selector in vertical sectional View along lines I-i. rIhis selector is equipped with .the .rectangular shaped reector cases Fas mentioned under light-sources a,'col umn. 3lines 2427.

FigureB represents the schematic outside front view of ,ar3elementper chain iiatpanel type selector,equipped with l0 light-sources for obtaining different combinations of circuits as is shown graphically. herewith.

In Figures .4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10,11, l2-and 13 the various outside and sectional views of a 2 element perchain flat panel type selectonequipped with 10 light-sources and phototubes as photo-electric elements are shown.

Figure 4 is the front view of the panel with the light-sources lremoved in order to show the relative positions of the panel drillings or holes, containing the phototubes E.

Figures 5 and 6 show the vertical sectional view along lines 3-3 of Figure 4. In Figure 5 the rectangular shaped reflector cases are shown as light-sources as well as the external wiring of the auxiliary relay R and the battery B. This relay R is operated by the battery B when the circuit passing through the phototube elements E opposite light-source F2 and F8 is completed, when these elements are activated by the respective light-sources. An alternative circuit is marked by the dotted lines.

In Figure 6 light, neonor fluorescent tubes are shown as light-sources one tube separated from the other by means of vpads Y, in order to prevent any stray light from falling on adjacent photo-electric elements in the upper or lower row.

From Figures 4, 5 and 6 a good picture of the method of selection may be formed, by assuming that light-sources F2 and F8 are lit in order to activate the respective elements of the chain corresponding hereto which in Figure 4 lies along A careful scrutiny of the remaining chains will reveal, that there exists no other combination of elements, which will activate another chain if light-sources F2 and F8 are lit, herewith giving 'a graphical demonstration of the method of selection.

Figure 7 is the horizontal sectional view of the same selector along lines 2 2. The light-source which corresponds to F4 in this instance is a reector case, supported on flanges K, illuminated by a bulb placed at one end in the inside of the case. From this figure may be seen that whenever a light-source is lighted, a number of photoelectric elements `are activated, (9 in the case of a 10 light-source 2 elements per chain selector and 36 in the case of a l0 light-source 3 elements per chain selector.) However this does not affect the principle of selection since in order t close a chain all the elements contained therein must be activated, and as shown above, there only exists one particular chain, which corresponds to a certain selection of light-source combinations.

From Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 the mounting at right angles 0f light-sources and chains may be noted.

Figure 8 represents the rear View along arrow A of Figure of the panel showing the series wiring connections L of the elements E making up the chains or circuits.

Figure 9 represents the enlarged view of the encircled area of light-source F8 and its corresponding phototube of the cross-sectional view of Figure 5, showing in more detail the transparent window w, through which the light-rays fall on the phototube E, of the reflecting surfaces i of the reector casing F8, which at the same time acts as a shield preventing stray rays from activating adjacent cells in the upper or lower rows. In this Figure 9 the phototube E is shown in its position in the counter-socket of the panel-drilling or hole, showing how a positive contact is made between the prongs m of the phototube and the terminals 1t of the counter-socket in the panel-drilling.

Figure 10 represents the same enlarged view as Figure 9, but with the phototube E removed .from its'socket.

Figure l1 represents the rear Outside View of the phototube and its counter-socket, showing how the conductors L are Xed permanently to the counter-socket contacts n.

Figure 12 represents the enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the phototube E, showing in detail the glass or plastic cover y, the base b, the

anode electrode a, the cathode electrode c and the tube socket contacts or prongs m.

Figure 13 is the cross-sectional view of the same tube along lines 5-5 of Figure 12 showing the cross-sectional views of the anode electrode a and the cathode electrode c.

I claim:

1. A selector of the character described including a source of current, a plurality of electric conductor` circuits, each one with a plurality of light sensitive elements forming selector chain circuits, said light sensitive elements being disposed in a panel in longitudinal and transverse rows, said longitudinal rows having greater nurnbers of elements than said transverse rows, and a plurality of light sources which are of elongated form, each light source being located adjacent a longitudinal row, separate chain circuitsy connecting all the elements in each transverse row in series with a sensitive relay for completing the selected chain circuit, and said chain circuits being activated by a preselected combination of a plurality of light sources.

2. A selector of the character described including a source of current, a plurality of electric conductor circuits, each one with a plurality of light sensitive elements forming selector chain circuits, said light sensitive elements being disposed in a panel in longitudinal and transverse rows, said longitudinal rows having greater numbers of elements than said transverse rows, and a plurality of light sources which are of elongated form, each light source being located adjacent a longitudinal row, separate chain circuits connecting all the elements in each transverse row in series with a sensitive relay for completing the selected chain circuit, each transverse row containing two light sensitive elements, and said chain circuits being activated by a preselected combination of two light sources.

3. A selector of the character described including a source of current, a plurality of electric conductor circuits, each one with a plurality of light sensitive elements forming selector chain circuits, said light sensitive elements being disposed in a panel in longitudinal and transverse rows, said longitudinal rows having greater numbers of elements than said transverse rows, and a plurality of light sources which are of elongated form, each light source being located adjacent a longitudinal row, separate chain circuits connecting all the elements in each transverse row in series with a sensitive relay for completing the selected chain circuit, each transverse row containing three light sensitive elements, and said chain circuits being activated by a preselected combination of three light sources.

JAIME URTEAGA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,010,543 Gray Aug. 6, 1935 2,189,001 Gould Feb. 6, 1940 2,266,779 Loughridge Dec. 23, 1941 2,231,186 Gould Feb. ll, 1941 2,341,934 Martin Feb. 15, 1944 2,342,245 Bruce Feb. 22, 1944V 2,438,825 Roth Mar. 30, 1948' 2,505,069 Savino Apr. 25, 1950 

